First time listening to Hank Williams I'M SO LONESOME I COULD CRY (Reaction!)

[@LarryNtx]

I cracked up. You are talking about how you used to hate country until you saw the light. One of Hank's biggest hits was "I saw the light'.

[@bite-sizedshorts9635]

It's almost required in country circles to know the words to "I Saw the Light," as that is used as a group song a lot on the Grand Ole Opry. It's similar to how almost all guitar players have to learn "Wildwood Flower" by the Carter Family and almost all fiddlers have to learn "Orange Blossom Special" by the Rouse Brothers.

[@candicefitzpatrick7593]

That's my favorite, I saw the light!

[@kennethboatman327]

The 1st country song I learned as a child was "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." Hank Sr.'s music has been a part of me all through my 67 years of life. In high school, at the pep rally before every football game, the entire student body would sing "I Saw The Light." That's just the way it was then. They were long dead by that time, but Hank and Patsy were still booming on the country stations.

[@FakeBeatle538]

I though it was a pun initially but he never brought it up again😂

[@YesByBeading]

I really lol'ed at that 😂

[@lathedauphinot6820]

There’s a reason Hank Williams is famous. He’s the best. He’s a human metronome. His rhythm is perfect, and nothing breaks it, speeds it up or slows it down. He had the best band, teenagers (like himself) who dropped out of high school to play. Although he had very little money growing up in Alabama, he paid a black man to teach him blues guitar, which gave him a completely unique sound. And he lived his songs in a tragic life. How many people drink themselves to death at age 29 and are still considered the best 70 years later? He wrote his own music and even helped invent rock and roll with “Move It On Over” and wrote the gospel classic “I Saw The Light”. The best.

[@ricksaunders8074]

I know every song Hank ever wrote

[@stuBdoc]

He had a congenital spine condition, spina bifida, which caused severe, constant back pain. The drinking and drugs were in part a response to that.

[@jeremyfagner6808]

Hank Sr. Was referred to as the Hillbilly Shakespeare. Only had a recording career of about 4 years but done so much and left his mark on music forever!!!

[@justmoose6534]

"Move It On Over" "There's a Tear in my Beer" "Lovesick Blues" "You're Cheatin' Heart" "Honky Tonk Blues" "Honky Tonkin'" "Why Don't You Love Me Like You Used to do?" "Take These Chains From My Heart" "Cold Cold Heart" "Lost Highway' "I Saw The Light"

[@kathyw2355]

"My Bucket's got a hole in it" ❤

[@neillundy5955]

Pure gold. Every song.

[@gary17509]

It's the simplicity and the rawness that makes you feel the emotion.

[@jimmyburks4345]

I was born in 1949. I grew up listening to Hank Sr. As a ten year old living overseas in Turkey I would play his albums on the Telefunken we had. Then lay on the floor between the speakers and sing along. Others have mention "I Saw the Light" "Hey Good Looking" and others. Sebs your channel is fantastic. Enjoy!

[@user-gt2uf8cq9y]

I Saw the Light wasn't even a hit because it was released before he was famous, but is one of the most familiar songs of its type.

[@GoodOldGamer]

He does so much with the tone of his voice in this. He sounds full of anguish and despair.

[@karenstacymayne4156]

He was born with mild spina bifida, and he suffered from chronic pain as he got older. I think he drank a lot to numb the pain. Plus back then lots of people drank way more than they really should have. It is awful that we lost him so young, but amazing that he left behind such great music.

[@FranklinJuniper-uh2lk]

He took a variety of pain meds for that and had surgery. Nothing really helped. 😒

[@DebraMaloney-s6z]

Funny that you said you saw the light, because that is another one of his songs you should check out. I Saw the Light.

[@kevinfarrell3121]

Possibly the most genuine genius songwriter/ Singer in music history! As much as he’s “Real Country”, he was also “Rock And Roll “, before Rock And Roll was Rock And Roll!

[@sylviafarese8837]

I grew up on Hank, my daddy loved him. No one and I mean no one can sing as he does and it pierces me to my core.

[@leannlaplante3643]

Bless you for even reacting to this. The examples of sadness written out in this song are devastating in their pain.

[@RandyGabbert]

There's such a soulful sadness to his voice that touches the heart of the listener and feels authentic.

[@notneeded1]

It is the lyrics. Listen to the lyrics. That is what made this song a instant classic. Hank is the best.

[@angieday5183]

One of the greatest songwriters of all time. "Hillbilly Shakespeare". Dozens of his songs have been covered by hundreds of artists.

[@butchwatson8719]

My daddy bought this on a 78 somewhere-secondhand, I think, when I was young and we listened to it a lot! He lived Hank Williams. On the other side, I believe is My Son Calls Another Man Daddy, which is a good one, too! Well, they all are!

[@bite-sizedshorts9635]

I also have a copy of that MGM 78 record which my mother bought before she was married and I was born.

[@LoisChisholm]

Oh, my uncle LOVED this song and had a massive record collection of Bluegrass and Country-Western music. I grew up as a little girl hearing Hank Sr. I was told I was singing "Hey, Good Looking" before I could speak all the words.

[@tallestmountain]

In the early 50s, when i was a toddler, we lived way back in a wooded area. No electricity. My mom had an old wind up Victrola 78rpm record player. I think they had every Hank Sr record he made in 78 rpm. I could not read yet but i knew by the shapes which song was which. I loved winding up that machine and playing Hank. His music got deep into my soul early. His songs havent been recorded just by country artist, many pop artists have recorded them. He is universal.

[@southernbelle193]

Hank Williams Jr is worth looking at too.

[@Gutslinger]

I just turned 33 years old and Hank Williams Sr is on my Mount Rushmore of favorite artists. He has a huge catalog of songs, and his career and life was cut short. He was like the Elvis before Elvis. He had the charisma, the flash, the hits, and he captured everyone's attention. It saddens me to think of all of the great songs we undoubtedly missed out on from his life being cut so short. He is the most influential artist in the genre, and the REAL king of country music...despite what the George Strait stans say.

[@margueritavankempen850]

I was 8 years 1951when my aunty introduced me to Hank Williams. I lived in Indonesia and then I took the record to my music class( I was in a Catholic school) and the nun played it in class. I got an A for doing this. I was hooked and he was my favorite...until Elvis

[@francesmeyer8478]

Hank Williams' greatest song. It came out the year after I was born. ☕🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🌧

[@debrabeck9630]

The final lines of this song are some of the saddest I’ve ever heard. I discovered Hank Williams when I was in my late teens, and I’m an old woman now. I love him.

[@raymondrice9875]

The poetry of this song is absolutely amazing!

[@raynavarro7997]

The moon just went behind the clouds, to hide its face and cry....Pure poetry

[@eddiewilkinson9794]

There is a reason he was referred to as "Hillbilly Shakespeare", In a recording career lasting less than 5 years (Lovesick Blues released in 1949, to his death Jan 1 1953) he managed to record over 30 number one hits. Several becoming hits after his death. Amazing talent taken all too soon, but from this a Legend was born. To the best of my knowledge he is the only artist in the Country Music hall of Fame, Rock N' Roll hall of fame and the Songwriters hall of fame.

[@johnniekight1879]

The true "King Of Country Music". A short but amazing career. A big difference between Classic Country and the country pop of today.

[@maryrichardson1318]

It is the only "popular" song that is in our hymnal at church.

[@6916dog]

You are getting into the master. Hank inspired 1000's of artists. Some tried to imitate, others tried to take his sound in a new direction. Hank is the father of several genres of music. His catalog stands as a testament to his awesomeness. His influence is immeasurable. Seriously, Hank is that important to the evolution of popular music in America over the last 70 years. Please dive into his repertoire

[@warrenburlingame1172]

I've often wondered what he would have done if he would have lived another 30 years

[@MommaBird52]

He was just 29 so 30 would have only put him 59!

[@markoehler2752]

Along with Patsy, Kieth Whitley, Jimmie Rodgers, so many more…

[@fineasfogg1461]

I bet he would just continue playing music his way.

[@vickit.1797]

Hank's got a lot of happier songs too and upbeat. he's got a little bit of everything. he's a true bluesman

[@janflewelling6277]

This is IMO Hank's very best song, speaking to the very heart of anyone who hears it. Who hasn't at one time or another felt so totally alone in the world. Hank knew. 😓 But then his counterpoint is I Saw the Light. 😇

[@sir-gwayne1644]

Hank Junior has a song called tear in my beer where he took an old unfinished recording of his dad's song then made a duet out of it

[@cynthiajamison4006]

I was born in 57 and I remember hearing this song when I was little. My mother had the record, I think it was a 45. She would play it all the time and I would think how sad it would make me feel. The records other side had a song "My Bucket's Got a Hole In It. I also remember Hey Good-looking, Lovesick Blues, Move it on Over and many more. He had that unique crying lonesome voice, like he was always living a heartache❤

[@evonnemccausland3531]

Someone asked Hank how he wrote such good songs. Hank said that he just held the pen while GOD wrote the song!

[@shelleytorok1406]

Alan Jackson said the same about his song "Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning "

[@tn_bayouwulf2949]

In 1981-1982, I was stationed at Barksdale AFB and rented a one room efficincy apartment from Mrs Billy Jean Horton, the widow of the late Johnny Horton, Country music singer. But before that marriage, she was married to Hank Williams Sr for less than two months, until his passing. She was a bit eccentric and did NOT suffer a fool! But the memory hole goes further back in time for me. HW Sr was a contemporary of my grandfather and my memories as a child in the 1960s of him singing old Hank songs while tinkering in his work shop/garage. Hank's music was still being played on country radio in "them thar" days! Great reaction Seb! you da man!

[@wheredidthetimego8087]

I grew up on some Hank Williams. My mom loved his music!! Down home country.

[@t.r.1708]

One of my favorites! Thx! My mom used to sing these songs from her era! BJ Thomas did a wonderful job version, which was his first hit.

[@Anna-g3i4n]

Hank Williams died on his way to a comeback concert at the Grand Ole Opry. He was 29. His chauffeur said he just went to sleep. Some of this is legend, but it’s said that when the hundreds of people waiting for him at the Opry heard he had died, there was silence. Then, they started standing up, men removed their hats, and they started singing one by one, the song he wrote that broke all bounds -I Saw The Light. The people who were listening on the radio, such as my parents and grandparents started singing too.

[@tzipporahwilliams2666]

It speaks to the heart for so many music "stars" of the time, traveling from gig to gig by train, missing their loved ones. Yet for so many, it can be translated from Truck drivers on the road, rail workers, loss through death, etc, it speaks to hearts that truly love someone other than themselves.

[@DewayneGore]

My grandparents pretty much raised me. We had no tv growing up, only an old cabinet style radio player. Grandmother had record albums, one of which was Hank Williams "Luke the Drifter" album. She would play that album and we'd sit and listen to it. I was just a little tyke, maybe three or four years old, but I remember her listening and crying, then praying for "Luke the Drifter" (Hank Williams, Sr), even though he had been dead for ten years or more at the time. That's what it means to me.

[@ritarider4380]

Hank could bring his songs straight to heart, because it was straight from his heart to ours. One of the very best.😊

[@sheilasisk7550]

When I started truck driving after being widowed at 49. I delivered & picked up loads in the back roads of Alabama where Hank Williams lived as a child. And there were many of the cross roads that had names the he sang about. It really carried you back in time.

[@julienissalke7759]

Have always loved the steel hear it so much better in the old stuff love ya been following for a while congrats again on the wonderful news..✝️🇺🇸❤️🙏

[@jealousjelly1]

This song has been recorded a couple of hundred times by singers of every genre and was a favorite of folks from Elvis (who called it the saddest song he ever heard) to Bob Dylan to Aretha Franklin. But anybody who really wants to feel the chills run up and down their spine should find the clip of the incomparable, beautiful Bernadette Peters rendition of this song on the old Johnny Carson Show. She absolutely rung the tears out of every word. Everybody, do yourself a solid and check it out.

[@murrayturtle0372]

One of the most beautiful songs ever written ❤he was one of the best song writers hands down! This is also my favorite because my names in it Robin❤

[@rickstclair2217]

as a young boy, recall sitting in front of our radio in Saturday night listening to the Grand Ole Opry. my dad loved Hank and the entire show each week. the PBS special, COUNTRY MUSIC, educated me, was an amazing series and highlighted the hillbilly shakespear, Hank Williams. I learned so much about Nashville, the early stars, the national popularity of this genre. no matter if you detest country music, this is worth watching.

[@2TLJ]

Hank senior was the only person I ever remember my grandfather listening to. So his music will always be special to me. To me there is no better country music than Hank.

[@atomicalcohol]

There's a tear in my beer done after his death with Jr.

[@phil-1115]

The original story was that Merle Kilgore found the recording of "There's a Tear In My Beer " in an attic here in San Antonio, Texas. He was Hank Jr's manager at the time. It's a great song.

[@jodyhouser6437]

This music reminds me of my Dad who loved it. This song is legendary because of the beauty of his voice on it. The aching in his voice just touches your heart. His voice takes a bit to get used to since it is so different than today but when you do get used to it, it will touch your heart.

[@evacook3304]

He had a way with words that was almost poetic . He could draw you into his words.. if never seen the movie you definitely need to Hank Williams the movie..never be another .

[@VickiHartley]

Most heartbreaking song ever

[@jmmyky]

My favorite Hank Williams song. Hank is my favorite singer/songwriter that i grew up hearing from the time i was little boy. Just sad he only made it to 29 years old before passing. 😢

[@rkotera]

Hank Sr was a rockstar before rock and roll. Lyrically, musically, and personally, he lived the highs and lows of the world.

[@janetscott7026]

He was a great talent that suffered.

[@karenmartin7978]

Hank Williams had severe back problems and was in constant pain, which he numbed by abusing alcohol and prescription pain meds. His personal life was erratic, he was habitually late or a no-show for concerts, and died at the age of 29. And in his short troubled life he was constantly writing and recording songs that people still love more than 70 years after his death. When he sings about troubles and heartache he’s telling what he’d experienced.

[@richdiddens4059]

He was born with spinal bifida and was in severe pain his whole life. The pain pills and self medication with alcohol helped but just took some of the edge off.

[@GinMae]

Thanks, Sebs.. Hank Sr. was fantastic.. such emotion and so evocative (his son, "Jr." was a lame shadow... part of the "modern country-rock" that I totally cannot get into).. but this man was a true musician.... I hope you do more of his early stuff... he is in a class with Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette & George Jones.. the TRUE country people... appreciate your reaction!

[@davidpahlka6301]

This was his most poetic song. He had a special way of writing and playing the music so you could firstly feel it then imagine it. They seem simple at first but the more you listen it gains depth in your soul. I was only around four when I heard him and as my bigger sister reminded me I used to drive everyone crazy singing "Say, hey good lookin'" and others. Years later I said "Hey this Hank Williams is great," as if it was new. Then came the story I forgot.

[@kathyb6153]

We called this Hillbilly when I was a kid. One of my sisters had a recording contract and she was called a hillbilly singer. This was in the 50's.

[@bevn3146]

love hank williams sr great songs great artist one i really love is" II SAW THE LIGHT ''

[@moonbeam2062]

Seb, the main thing you have to appreciate about Hank Williams songs are the lyrics and how they connect with real people's experiences and emotions. Hanks songs have been covered by so many famous artists, both in the rock-pop and country genres, including Elvis Presley who performed "Im so Lonesome I Could Cry" live at his 1971 Aloha Hawaii concert. He introduced it by saying "I'd now like to sing what I think is probably the saddest song I've ever heard". One of the most impactful lines in this song to me personally is, "The silence of a falling star lights up a purple sky, and as I wonder where you are, I'm so lonesome I could cry". The imagery in those words are near perfection. And THAT is PURE poetry!! And the soulfulness in how he sings it is real!

[@loismarshall2927]

A great cover of this song was done by B.J. Thomas. B.J. recorded this on the B side of a 45 record. It became a big hit for him. B.J. was known as country, but enven a bigger pop recorder. I love all his recordings. Eyes of a New York woman, most of all, Hooked on a Feeling, somebody fone somebody wrong song. He also had several gospel albums. One of my favorite singers of all time.

[@kathyw2355]

I grew up in a house that loved country music and then all music. My Mom played it all from Hank Sr. To Hank Jr. Then on to Elvis, the Platters Motown then to CCR 😊 I was blessed. Her favorite was Hank Sr and Elvis Presley. This song brings back so many wonderful memories of her❤ I was made fun of for liking Hank, grew up around Chicago but was from a Southern household Mom Tennessee, Dad Arkansas. Thank you for reacting to Hank

[@jonathanwright9613]

What many fail to realize is Hank's influence across all genera's of music. He in a true legend!

[@Tonetwisters]

Yeh. That's the one. "The silence of a falling star, lights up a purple sky ... And as I wonder where you are, I'm so lonesome I could cry."

[@aaronbenson4501]

Old Hank had Choctaw blood as well! With a wee bit of research you'll find quite a few artists had native american blood! In the 1920s the old bluesman were interviewed and they thanked the native people for providing the drum beat to the blues! You can still hear that drumbeat in today's songs!

[@gwenj5419]

Hank Williams III has covered some of his grandpa's songs. Generationally talented family.

[@kevinsharpjr]

Hank 3 looks like his grandpa Hank Sr.

[@patroberts5449]

My Dad was born in 1927 and he idolized Hank Williams and made him want to be a cowboy😊 I miss my Dad

[@KathyAnne28]

A previous country hater now GROOVIN' to the OG. Love it.

[@markzimmerman2057]

My father had a lot of his 78 records (MGM label). Miss those days. I loved those old songs. Lovesick Blues, Kawliga, Cheating Heart, 6 More Miles, Mansion on the Hill, I saw the light, Cold Cold Heart, I can't help it (if I'm still in love with you), My son calls another man daddy. So many good ones.

[@sandraturner4539]

My dad loved Hank. I do too. I love my country music.

[@sarahburford5938]

This was some of my grandparents' favorite music. This reminds me of my grandparents getting out their old records to play after dinner when they babysat me. They even had an old victrola and 78's that belonged to one of their parents (who I never met.) Between them and my parents I was lucky enough to hear music from all the genre's beginning with ragtime (the 1910's I think?)

[@impudentdomain]

Everything about this song is designed to give you an impression of loneliness and despair. It is the perfect blues song.

[@gordonduke8812]

Hank had a unique outlook on how to be a successful musician, keep it simple. In fact, he was auditioning an guy to be his new steel guitar player, the whole band was there. This new guy came in and just burned the steel up with complicated advanced runs and combinations. The band was just whooping and patting the guy on the back, everyone but Hank. He sat there for a second and said, that was pretty good but can you dumb it down a little? The guy said he didn't quite understand, and Hank said "I want a farm boy to hear it in a honkytonk on Friday night and be able to whistle it in the field on Saturday". Genius.

[@joycepainter8196]

Some songs will live forever. This is definitely iconic. ❤

[@fineasfogg1461]

I deep dived into Hank William sr in the early 80s (he died a year before I was born) when country was evolving then fracturing. His music was so emotional and raw I immediately fell in love with it. "May you never be alone like me" was the saddest to me.. but I really enjoyed "I'll never get out of this world alive" and "Kawliga," " Long gone lonesome blues.. 🎵 I went down to the river to watch the fish swim by.. 🎵.

[@zepptar]

Hank hits to the bone!

[@thewindle]

You stated you saw the light, there is a Hank Sr song, I Saw the Light. It's country gospel, check it out. Great reaction. I believe Sr was the first inducty into the Country Music Hall of Fame and he is also in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an influencer

[@beabarber4300]

Hank pre-dated most of the craze for 'genres' where music was partitioned up into particular types - probably so that radio stations knew what they were getting. His gospel songs are just as impressive as this one. My personal favorite is tied between Jambalaya and Move It on Over.

[@starfireapache]

I saw the movie about Hank Williams life back in the day using this song title and left the theater in tears! This song was written a year after I was born and still brings me to tears!

[@JoeMama410]

I discovered Hank Williams Sr. as an adult and fell in love. You can't miss with Hillbilly Shakespeare. Check out Long Gone Lonesome Blues.

[@audreyjohnson4599]

The musicians were also in the recording studio at the same time. It adds to the quality of the recording.

[@1950G1950]

I love, love, love Hank Williams. I was 3 years old when he died. He led a tragic life. It's the third verse that grabs my heart, "Did you ever see a robin weep, when leaves begin to die? Like me he's lost the will to live, I'm so lonesome I could cry."

[@hackermusic3355]

Funny that you said "I saw the light" regarding country music while reacting to a Hank song. Hank wrote the song I Saw The Light. I didn't listen to much country music when I was a kid but of course I heard most of the classic songs as other people were listening to them. I did have the tape of Al Green covering this song.

[@russelllevine1288]

This song is absolutely the GOAT.

[@MichaelCrow-h2i]

“I saw the light” is another one of Hank Sr you have to react to

[@janeterambert5455]

Wow, I used to listen to this with my Dad, so very sad, but I love it to this day

[@Gutslinger]

"Lonesome Blue" is arguably my favorite, because the notes he hits with his voice is so unique. And it's fun to sing along to, if you're capable of hitting those notes too.

[@dianasheart]

From the year I was born. Began singing along with it when very small.

[@ronstoner1823]

I just turned 59. My parents were my biggest influence on music. Country, blues, bluegrass, rock and roll, you name it. I've been listening to, and loving, Hank Williams for as long as I can remember, and I know even longer than that.

[@foreveryoung3254]

He is a classic, a country legend.

[@louiseasmith1336]

This (When it was new) was what my parents listened to when I was a kid. 😊

[@bob_._.]

This was when Country was still Country & Western.

[@edgarsnake2857]

Hank is the boss. There's a couple dozen fantastic songs.

[@Padre.K1880]

I grew up on Hank Williams, awesome.

[@laurenseabolt9942]

This is one of the many classics he wrote. Of his covers you would really enjoy “I saw the light” old time gospel.

[@RogerMcCauley-s1e]

Dude, great reaction. This true, pure music. Hank was leaps and bounds ahead of everyone else, with his writing, and this is absolutely my favorite Hank song

[@carols6013]

Check out his I Saw the Light. That is my absolute favorite song. No other performer/songwriter comes close. The song you reviewed here, I sang to my children as I rocked them to sleep. The tune, while impactful to adults as sad, my children,as babies, found it soothing. They didn’t understand the words, but the music was all that mattered to them.

[@mpd370]

You said “Nashville country.” He’s literally at the Grand Ole Opry singing into a WSM microphone. He was old school country which is what Nashville was. It has changed. But the home of country music was and always will be in Nashville. ❤️❤️

[@kathryn9388]

This song helped me through a loss of a loved one. You feel the pain of loss even in the music. Music has the magic of healing and comfort as you grieve a loss. Something we all must go through. Hank did it well.

[@carolynhoffman9757]

It just sounds real. It’s not produced. It’s not autotuned. It sounds like adults singing in the living room when I’m supposed to be asleep in my bed.